Hand sanitizing station

ABSTRACT

A hand sanitizing station includes an elongated chassis, a container supported in the lower chamber and configured to hold sanitizing solution, a dispenser in fluid communication with the container, and a pump assembly configured to draw sanitizing solution from the container and out of the dispenser.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/022,895, filed on May 11, 2020 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/040,066, filed Jun. 17, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to hand sanitizing stations, and more particularly to hand sanitizing stations that are easily installed in public transit environments.

BACKGROUND

Using public transportation, such as a subway, train, or bus, often requires the rider to touch one or more surfaces that may have been previously touched by another rider or is otherwise contaminated or perceived to be unclean. As such, the health of the public would be served by providing a means for easily sanitizing a rider's hands before, during, and/or after using public transportation.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a hand sanitizing station is provided and includes an elongated chassis, a container supported in a lower chamber of the elongated chassis and configured to hold sanitizing solution, a dispenser in fluid communication with the container, and a pump assembly configured to draw sanitizing solution from the container and out of the dispenser.

In aspects, the pump assembly may include a first peristaltic pump and a drive shaft coupled to the first peristaltic pump. The first peristaltic pump may be configured to push the sanitizing solution through a fluid line in response to a rotation of the drive shaft about a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.

In aspects, the first peristaltic pump may include a rotatable wheel non-rotatably secured to the drive shaft, one or more arms extending from the wheel, and a housing in which the wheel is disposed. The fluid line may be captured between the arms and the housing such that a rotation of the wheel moves the arms relative to the fluid line to push the sanitizing solution therethrough.

In aspects, the hand sanitizing station may further include a handle non-rotatably attached to the drive shaft such that an actuation of the handle rotates the drive shaft.

In aspects, the pump assembly may further include a second peristaltic pump. The first peristaltic pump may be coupled to a first end of the drive shaft and the second peristaltic pump may be coupled to a second end of the drive shaft.

In aspects, the hand sanitizing station may further include a first sanitizing solution bag and a second sanitizing solution bag. The first sanitizing solution bag may be configured to be supported in an upper chamber of the elongated chassis and in fluid communication with the container. The second sanitizing solution bag may be configured to be supported in an intermediate chamber of the elongated chassis and in fluid communication with the container. The container may be configured to gravitationally draw sanitizing solution from each of the first and second sanitizing solution bags.

In aspects, the upper chamber may be disposed above the intermediate chamber and the lower chamber may be disposed below each of the upper and intermediate chambers.

In aspects, the first and second sanitizing solution bags may be detachably supported to and by the elongated chassis.

In aspects, the hand sanitizing station may further include a backplate detachably coupled to a rear of the elongated chassis, and a fastener assembly attached to the backplate and configured to secure the elongated chassis to a column.

In aspects, the fastener assembly may include a coupling nut having a first end portion and a second end portion, a first bolt threadedly coupled to the first end portion of the coupling nut, and a second bolt threadedly coupled to the second end portion of the coupling nut. The first and second bolts may be configured to move away from each other along the coupling nut in response to a rotation of the coupling nut.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a hand sanitizing station may include an elongated chassis, a container supported in the elongated chassis and configured to hold sanitizing solution, first and second sanitizing solution bags configured to be supported in the elongated chassis and in fluid communication with the container, a dispenser in fluid communication with the container, a handle, and a pump assembly. The second sanitizing solution bag is configured to be supported in the elongated chassis between the first sanitizing solution bag and the container. The dispenser is disposed between the intermediate chamber and the container. The pump assembly is operably coupled to the handle and configured to draw sanitizing solution from the container and out of the dispenser in response to an actuation of the handle.

In aspects, the hand sanitizing station may further include a level gauge in fluid communication with the container.

In aspects, the first sanitizing solution bag may be disposed above the second sanitizing solution bag, and the second sanitizing solution bag may be disposed above the container.

As used herein, the terms parallel and perpendicular are understood to include relative configurations that are substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular up to about + or −20 degrees from true parallel and true perpendicular.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the specific description accompanied by the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a hand sanitizing station;

FIG. 1B is a rear view of the hand sanitizing station of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the hand sanitizing station of FIGS. 1A and 1B secured to a support structure;

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the hand sanitizing station of FIGS. 1A and 1B with a door thereof in an open state exposing internal components of the hand sanitizing station;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view illustrating a pump assembly of the hand sanitizing station;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view illustrating the pump assembly of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view illustrating a level indicator of the hand sanitizing station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure. Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the references “upper” and “lower” are relative and used only in the context to the other, and are not necessarily “superior” and “inferior”.

The present disclosure is directed to a robust hand sanitizing station suitable for use in various locations accessible to the public, such as, for example, in selected locations of a subway or train station. The hand sanitizing station is designed to withstand every-day use by the general public, is easily installed, and is easy to replenish with hand sanitizing solution. The hand sanitizing station is configured to be installed on multiple different structures often found in a public transit station, such as, for example, walls, columns, or the like.

The hand sanitizing station includes a chassis or enclosure that is secured to a fixture, a door that conceals the contents of the hand sanitization station to prevent tampering and to allow easy access by an attendant/technician, a pair of replaceable bags that hold sanitizing solution, a hand or foot actuated pump, and a main container for holding the sanitizing solution. As a user actuates a handle, hand sanitizer is drawn up from the main container via the pump (e.g., a peristaltic roller pump) and dispensed onto the hand of the user. As the main container or tank is depleted, reserve hand sanitizer solution is first drawn, via gravity, from the first reserve bag into the main tank and ultimately into the hands of the user. After the first reserve bag is depleted, continued use of the hand sanitizing station will cause reserve hand sanitizing solution from the second reserve bag to be drawn, via gravity, into the main tank and ultimately to the hands of a user.

The unit is ADA compliant, is devoid of visible hardware, can be painted to match surrounding environments, has keyed entry, has multipoint latching, is ultra-ruggedized and has approved materials, thereby providing good assurances that it will hold up to the most challenging environments.

In aspects, the station may provide at least about 5,000 dispenses per filling, has a highly reliable dispensing and pumping mechanism, has easily replaced sanitizing solution bags, has a rugged machined metal chassis, is reliable and maintainable, has a low profile and compliments other equipment installed at transit stations, has customizable graphics for varying buildings or systems, is fully serviceable using a single tool, has a sleek appearance (no visible hardware), has a multipoint door latching system, is a passive device (e.g., there is no connection to power or data), has an accelerated manufacturing schedule for rapid deployment, has a blackbox design approach permitting immediate and phased installation, and has multiple mounting solutions (including a column web, column face, wall, pedestal, and custom mounts).

With reference to FIGS. 1A-3, a hand sanitizing station 10 for dispensing hand sanitizing solution generally includes an elongated chassis 12, a container or main tank 14 supported in the chassis 12 and configured to hold sanitizing solution, replaceable first and second plastic bags 16, 18 for holding reserve hand sanitizing solution, and a user-actuated pump assembly 20 for transferring the sanitizing solution from the container 14 to a user's hands. The elongated chassis 12 may be fabricated from a rigid material, such as, for example, aluminum or stainless steel, and is sized and shaped for receipt in a standard subway station column. The sanitizer solution may be 80/20 hand sanitizer. Other suitable hand sanitizing solutions are also contemplated.

A front door 22 is pivotably coupled to a front of the elongated chassis 12 and a backplate 24 is detachable coupled to a rear of the chassis 12. The front door 22 may be pivoted relative to the chassis 12 by a hinged connection between a first position, in which an interior of the chassis 12 is exposed and accessible by a technician, and a second position, in which the interior of the chassis 12 is covered and inaccessible to the public.

With reference to FIGS. 1B and 2, the backplate 24 may be detachably fixedly secured to a fixture, such as, for example, a wall or a column “C” of a subway station. In the instance that the backplate 24 is to be secured within a column “C,” two fastener assemblies 26, 28 of the hand sanitizing station 10 are provided with each including a coupling nut 30 and first and second threaded bolts 32, 34. The coupling nut 30 defines an elongated, threaded channel (not explicitly shown) therethrough in which the first and second bolts 32, 34 are received. The first bolt 32 is received in a first end portion 30 a of the coupling nut 30, whereas the second bolt 34 is received within a second end portion 30 b of the coupling nut 30. First and second jam nuts 36 a, 36 b may be provided respectively between the first bolt 32 and the first end portion 30 a of the coupling nut 30 and the second bolt 34 and the second end portion 30 b of the coupling nut 30.

The backplate 24 defines an upper pocket 38 and a lower pocket 40 in which the first and second fastener assemblies 26, 28 are received. The coupling nut 30 is disposed between opposing lateral side walls 42 a, 42 b of the backplate 24. To secure the backplate 24 within the column “C” (FIG. 2), the coupling nut 30 may be rotated, for example, by inserting a tool into a hole in the outer hexagonal surface of the coupling nut 30, thereby driving a translation of the first and second bolts 32, 34 outwardly from one another and into engagement with inner side walls “SW1,” “SW2” of the column “C” to fixedly secure the backplate 24. With the backplate 24 secured to the column “C,” the chassis 12 is mounted to the backplate 24 via any suitable fastener or hook. In the instance that the backplate 24 is to be secured to a wall, the backplate 24 may be secured to the wall or any other suitable fixture via a plurality of fasteners that extend transversely through various locations of the backplate and anchor into the wall.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the chassis 12 defines an upper chamber 50 a, an intermediate chamber 50 b disposed below the upper chamber 50 a, and a lower chamber 50 c disposed below and spaced from the intermediate chamber 50 b. The chassis 12 has an array of hooks 52 disposed in each of the upper and intermediate chambers 50 a, 50 b for supporting the first bag or reservoir 16 and the second bag or reservoir 18. The first and second bags 16, 18 may define an aperture 54, 56 in an upper end thereof for receiving the hooks 52 to allow for the bags 16, 18 to be easily hung on and removed from the chassis 12. Each of the bags 16, 18 has a respective fluid line, such as, for example, a plastic tubing 58, 60 having a first end in fluid communication with an interior of the bag 16, 18 and a second end having a quick connector (not explicitly shown) for connecting to the container 14.

The container 14 has first and second ports 62, 64 at an upper end thereof from which first and second fluid lines 66, 68 extend upwardly toward the first and second bags 16, 18, respectively. Each of the first and second fluid lines 66, 68 has a female or male quick connect fitting 70, 72 that is detachably connected to the other of a male or female quick connect fitting of the fluid lines 58, 60 of the first and second bags 16, 18. In this way, after the first and second bags 16, 18 are depleted and therefore need to be replaced by pre-filled replacement bags, the fluid line 58 of the first bag 16 is detached from the first fluid line 66 of the container 14 and the fluid line 60 of the second bag 18 is detached from the second fluid line 68 of the container 14. The fluid lines of the replacement bags are then attached to the respective first and second lines 66, 68 of the container 14 and the replacement bags are hung on the hooks 52 of the chassis 12. In some aspects, instead of the first and second bags 16, 18 being equipped with fluid lines 58, 60, the bags 16, 18 have ports to which the first and second fluid lines 66, 68 of the container 14 directly detachably couple. The mating connectors are designed to close when disconnected so that sanitizing solution does not leak during the replenishment process.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the pump assembly 20 of the hand sanitizing station 10 is supported on the chassis 12 at a location between the intermediate and lower chambers 50 b, 50 c (FIG. 3). The pump assembly 20 is operably coupled to a handle 74 and configured to draw sanitizing solution from the container 14 and out of a dispenser 76 in response to an actuation of the handle 74. The pump assembly 20 generally includes a first peristaltic pump 78, a second peristaltic pump 80, and a drive shaft 82 coupled to and between the first and second peristaltic pumps 78, 80. Since the first and second peristaltic pumps 78, 80 are the same or substantially the same, only the first peristaltic pump 78 will be described in detail.

The first peristaltic pump 78 includes a housing 84 secured to the chassis 12, a rotatable wheel 86 received within the housing 84, and a plurality of arms 88 formed with or otherwise coupled to the wheel 86. The wheel 86 is non-rotatably secured to a first end 82 a of the drive shaft 82 and a wheel 87 (FIG. 5) of the second peristaltic pump 80 is operably coupled to a second end 82 b of the drive shaft 82. The wheels 86, 87 are coupled to the drive shaft 82 by a rachet mechanism (not explicitly shown) such that a rotation of the drive shaft 82 in a first direction drives a rotation of the wheels 86, 87 in the first direction, whereas a rotation of the drive shaft 82 in a second, opposite direction the drive shaft 82 rotates relative to the wheels 86, 87 without driving a rotation of the wheel 86, 87.

The arms 88 of the first peristaltic pump 78 extend perpendicularly from an inner face of the wheel 86 and are arranged circumferentially about a center point of the wheel 86. The arms 88 may be shaped as cylindrical rods. A fluid line 90 extends from a port 92 (FIG. 3) at a bottom end of the container 14 and extends over the arms 88 such that the fluid line 90 is captured between the aims 88 and an inner surface of the housing 84. As the wheel 86 is rotated, in response to an actuation of the handle 74 by a user, the arms 88 move along the fluid line 90 to advancingly compress the fluid line 90 between the arms 88 and the housing 84 and push sanitizing solution therethrough and towards the dispenser 76.

The handle 74 is non-rotatably attached to the drive shaft 82 such that the actuation of the handle 74 rotates the drive shaft 82. The handle 74 has a pair of spaced-apart arms 94 a, 94 b fixed to the drive shaft 82, and a push bar 96 extending between the spaced-apart arms 94 a, 94 b and accessible to a user. A support plate 97 may be fixed to the chassis 12 and support the dispenser 76 thereon. The support plate 97 defines a pair of channels 98 a, 98 b through which the spaced-apart arms 94 a, 94 b of the handle 74 travel during an actuation of the handle 74. The dispenser 76 may be a nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid line 90. The dispenser 76 directs the sanitizing solution through and out of a bottom of the support plate 97 onto a user's hands. In aspects, each of the first and second peristaltic pumps 78, 80 may have a fluid line 90, 91 (FIG. 5) fluidly coupled to the container 14 at one end and joined at a bifurcated second end 99 (FIG. 5) to which the fluid lines connect to the dispenser 76.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the hand sanitizing station 10 may further include a sanitizer level gauge or indicator 100 in fluid communication with the container 14. The level gauge 100 includes a vertically-extending column 102 disposed alongside of the tank 14 and in fluid communication with the sanitizing solution in the tank 14. For example, the column 102 may have a port 106 at the bottom fluidly connected to a port 108 in the bottom end of the container 14 via a fluid line. The column 102 has an upper end having a color strip 110 that assists a technician in identifying the fluid line of the sanitizing solution.

To use the hand sanitizing station 10, a user actuates the handle 74, thereby rotating the drive shaft 82 and the wheels 86, 87 of the peristaltic pumps 78, 80. The arms 88 of the peristaltic pump 78 move along the fluid line 90 of the pump assembly 20 to push the sanitizing solution toward the dispenser 76 while also drawing the sanitizing solution up from the container 14. The sanitizing solution flows out of the dispenser 76 and onto a user's hand.

As a preset amount of the sanitizing solution is drawn up from the container 14 for every actuation of the handle 74, the same amount of sanitizing solution flows, via gravity, from the first bag 16 and into the container 14 to replenish the container 14. When the first bag 16 is depleted of sanitizing solution, a continued actuation of the handle 74 causes sanitizing solution to flow, via gravity, from the second bag 18 into the container 14 to replenish the container 14. Since the second bag 18 is disposed above the first bag 16, sanitizing solution from the first bag 16 does not begin to flow into the container 14 until after the second bag 18 is depleted. This configuration increases the likelihood of at least one of the bags 16, 18 being empty at a given time to allow for a technician to replace the depleted bag with a pre-filled replacement bag.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand sanitizing station comprising: an elongated chassis; a container supported in a lower chamber of the elongated chassis and configured to hold sanitizing solution; a dispenser in fluid communication with the container; and a pump assembly configured to draw sanitizing solution from the container and out of the dispenser.
 2. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 1, wherein the pump assembly includes: a first peristaltic pump; and a drive shaft coupled to the first peristaltic pump, the first peristaltic pump configured to push the sanitizing solution through a fluid line in response to a rotation of the drive shaft about a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.
 3. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 2, wherein the first peristaltic pump includes: a rotatable wheel non-rotatably secured to the drive shaft; at least one arm extending from the wheel; and a housing in which the wheel is disposed, the fluid line captured between the at least one arm and the housing such that a rotation of the wheel moves the at least one aim relative to the fluid line to push the sanitizing solution therethrough.
 4. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 2, further comprising a handle non-rotatably attached to the drive shaft, such that an actuation of the handle rotates the drive shaft.
 5. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 2, wherein the pump assembly further includes a second peristaltic pump, the first peristaltic pump being coupled to a first end of the drive shaft and the second peristaltic pump being coupled to a second end of the drive shaft.
 6. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 1, further comprising: a first sanitizing solution bag configured to be supported in an upper chamber of the elongated chassis and in fluid communication with the container; and a second sanitizing solution bag configured to be supported in an intermediate chamber of the elongated chassis and in fluid communication with the container, the container being configured to gravitationally draw sanitizing solution from each of the first and second sanitizing solution bags.
 7. The hand sanitizing solution station according to claim 6, wherein the upper chamber is disposed above the intermediate chamber, and the lower chamber is disposed below each of the upper and intermediate chambers.
 8. The hand sanitizing solution station according to claim 6, wherein the first and second sanitizing solution bags are detachably supported to and by the elongated chassis.
 9. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 1, further comprising: a backplate detachably coupled to a rear of the elongated chassis; and at least one fastener assembly attached to the backplate and configured to secure the elongated chassis to a column.
 10. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 9, wherein the at least one fastener assembly includes: a coupling nut having a first end portion and a second end portion; a first bolt threadedly coupled to the first end portion of the coupling nut; and a second bolt threadedly coupled to the second end portion of the coupling nut, wherein the first and second bolts are configured to move away from each other along the coupling nut in response to a rotation of the coupling nut.
 11. A hand sanitizing station comprising: an elongated chassis; a container supported in the elongated chassis and configured to hold sanitizing solution; first sanitizing solution bag configured to be supported in the elongated chassis and in fluid communication with the container; a second sanitizing solution bag configured to be supported in the elongated chassis between the first sanitizing solution bag and the container, the second sanitizing solution bag being configured to be in fluid communication with the container; a dispenser disposed between the intermediate chamber and the container and in fluid communication with the container; a handle; a pump assembly operably coupled to the handle and configured to draw sanitizing solution from the container and out of the dispenser in response to an actuation of the handle.
 12. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 11, wherein the pump assembly includes: a first peristaltic pump; and a drive shaft coupled to the first peristaltic pump, the first peristaltic pump being configured to push the sanitizing solution through a fluid line in response to a rotation of the drive shaft about a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.
 13. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 12, wherein the first peristaltic pump includes: a rotatable wheel non-rotatably secured to the drive shaft; at least one arm extending from the wheel; and a housing in which the wheel is disposed, the fluid line being captured between the at least one arm and the housing such that a rotation of the wheel moves the at least one arm relative to the fluid line to push the sanitizing solution therethrough.
 14. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 12, wherein the handle is non-rotatably attached to the drive shaft such that the actuation of the handle rotates the drive shaft.
 15. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 12, wherein the pump assembly further includes a second peristaltic pump, the first peristaltic pump being coupled to a first end of the drive shaft and the second peristaltic pump being coupled to a second end of the drive shaft.
 16. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 11, further comprising a level gauge in fluid communication with the container.
 17. The hand sanitizing solution station according to claim 11, wherein the first sanitizing solution bag is disposed above the second sanitizing solution bag, and the second sanitizing solution bag is disposed above the container.
 18. The hand sanitizing solution station according to claim 11, wherein the first and second sanitizing solution bags are detachably supported to and by the elongated chassis.
 19. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 1, further comprising: a backplate detachably coupled to a rear of the elongated chassis; and at least one fastener assembly attached to the backplate and configured to secure the elongated chassis to a column.
 20. The hand sanitizing station according to claim 19, wherein the at least one fastener assembly includes: a coupling nut having a first end portion and a second end portion; a first bolt threadedly coupled to the first end portion of the coupling nut; and a second bolt threadedly coupled to the second end portion of the coupling nut, wherein the first and second bolts are configured to move away from each other along the coupling nut in response to a rotation of the coupling nut. 